SynScan vs MLAstro Hub
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SynScan
Control motorized telescope mounts for celestial object tracking and exploration. Features include GOTO functionality, object catalogs, and gamepad navigation. Ideal for novice users with alt-azimuth mounts.
- Control telescope mount slew, align, GOTO, and track
- Point and Track celestial objects
- Support gamepad navigation
- Browse and save celestial object catalogs
- Third-party app integration (ASCOM, SkySafari, Stellarium)
- Emulator mount for testing
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Use the SynScan app to control Sky-Watcher telescope mounts via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth LE. Mounts without built-in Wi-Fi can be supported via a SynScan Wi-Fi adapter. This version of the SynScan app is suited for novice users using alt-azimuth mounts. Features - Control telescope mount to slew, align, GOTO and track. - Point And Track: track celestial objects (including the Sun and planets) without aligning. - Support gamepad navigation. - Browse a catalog of stars, comets, and deep sky objects. Or, save your own objects. - Provide access to mount for use by third-party apps, including ASCOM clients, SkySafari, Luminos, Stellarium Mobile Plus, Stellarium Desktop or customer-developed apps. Also set up mount alignment for Luminos, Skysafari. - Support access to the mount and the SynScan app from any platform that supports TCP/UDP connections. - Provide emulator mount for testing and practicing. - Track fast-moving earth satellites by working with the PreviSat app on Windows PC or the Lumios app on iOS devices.
MLAstro Hub
Control your OnStep telescope mount wirelessly from your phone. Manage mount status, navigate celestial catalogs, and perform alignment and configuration tasks without a laptop.
- Live mount status monitoring
- Directional control with adjustable slew rates
- One-tap home and park functionality
- Access to celestial object catalogs for Go-To slewing
- Guided alignment workflow
- Flexible Wi-Fi network setup
- Configuration and tuning options
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MLAstro is the wireless remote control companion for OnStep-based telescope mounts connected through SmartWebServer. Whether you're in your backyard or at a dark-sky site, MLAstro gives you everything you need right from your phone — no laptop, no cables, no hassle. KEY FEATURES ● Live Mount Status See your mount's current state at a glance: tracking mode, guide rates, slew status, and connection health — all updated in real time. ● Full Directional Control A responsive on-screen directional pad lets you nudge the mount in any direction. Adjust slew rates, start or stop tracking, and send mount utility commands with a tap. ● Home & Park Safely home or park your mount at the end of a session with dedicated one-tap controls. ● Go-To Catalogs Browse built-in catalogs and send your mount directly to any object: - Messier catalog (110 objects) - Caldwell catalog (109 objects) - Bright Stars list - J2000 coordinate entry for any custom target ● Target Detail & Slew View object details before slewing, confirm the target, and watch your mount move — all from one clean screen. ● Alignment Workflow Step through the alignment process guided by the app, so your mount points accurately every time. ● Flexible Network Setup Supports both Access Point and Station (router) Wi-Fi modes. Save your controller's IP address and port so you're always one tap from connecting. ● Configuration & Tuning Adjust meridian flip settings, slew limits, slew rates, tracking mode, time & location, and controller / axis parameters — all without leaving the app. ● Light & Dark Theme Choose light, dark, or follow your system preference. REQUIREMENTS - An OnStep-based telescope mount controller - SmartWebServer (or compatible TCP bridge) running on port 9998 (configurable) - iOS 15 or later - Same local Wi-Fi network as the mount MLAstro is built for amateur astronomers who want a clean, capable mobile controller for their OnStep rig. No account required. No cloud. Just your phone and your mount.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: MLAstro Hub at 5.0 against SynScan's 3.3. MLAstro Hub also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months). SynScan's advantage is ratings volume (8 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
MLAstro Hub holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SynScan has 8 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
SynScan ships an update every 2 months, MLAstro Hub every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 16, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SynScan | MLAstro Hub |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.3 (8 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 22.2% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 8 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 46 MB | 86 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Astropower Technology Co. Ltd. | To Ngoc Khanh |
Customer experience
SynScan
MLAstro Hub
In-app purchases
SynScan
No in-app purchases
MLAstro Hub
No in-app purchases









